In January 2018, the Andrews Government announced over $45 million of initiatives as part of the Action Plan. The Action Plan provides a framework for reducing the incidence and impact of rough sleeping in Victoria within the context of four key themes:

intervening early to prevent homelessness

providing stable accommodation as quickly as possible

support to maintain stable accommodation

an effective and responsive homelessness and support service system.

New services for rough sleepers

As part of the Action Plan, the government is investing $17 million to establish new services in the areas of highest incidence of rough sleeping throughout the state – three outer suburban and five regional/rural locations. These are Dandenong, Frankston, Maroondah, Geelong, Swan Hill, Warrnambool, Bacchus Marsh and Bendigo.

Two years of funding is available to suitably qualified Community Service Organisations (CSOs) to establish the following new suite of services:

Assertive outreach teams with flexible brokerage

Supportive Housing Teams

Modular Unit support

Eligible providers

Department funded Community Service Organisations are invited to submit proposals to deliver the new services.

CSOs must demonstrate expertise in multi-disciplinary service delivery for people who are homeless or sleeping rough. Submissions will be assessed on their ability to provide a range of supports to clients including clinical mental health, primary health and specialist services (such as Alcohol and Other Drugs Treatment services, Aboriginal, and culturally specific organisations). These services may be provided through direct provision or in partnership arrangements.

Submission process

The call for submissions will be advertised on Friday 3 August and close on Thursday 6 September 2018 at 2 pm.

Interested CSOs are required to register with the Victorian Government Tenders System at tenders.vic.gov.au